Kremlin Hints at Putin’s North Korea Voyage: What’s at Stake?

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui on the 16th (local time). Reuters said this unusual meeting likely included discussions about Putin’s visit to North Korea.

The Kremlin, via a telegram, announced that President Putin had a meeting with Minister Choe earlier that morning. President Putin received a briefing on the meeting results from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Minister Choe. Further details have not been disclosed at this time.

During their meeting, Choe and Lavrov reportedly discussed the status of implementing the North Korea-Russia summit agreement from last September and various issues on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Lavrov visited North Korea last October.

Reuters reports a high likelihood that Putin’s potential visit to North Korea was a topic of discussion at this meeting. When Kim Jong Un visited Russia last September, Putin accepted Kim’s invitation to visit North Korea.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, told reporters, “The president’s visit is on the agenda,” and “There is an invitation, and President Putin will use it at a convenient time according to mutual agreement between the two sides.”

Russia is making strenuous efforts to improve relations with North Korea. Due to the protracted Russo-Ukrainian war, Russia desperately needs North Korean ammunition. Cooperation with North Korea also has the effect of pressuring the United States and its Asian allies.

North Korea needs Russia’s advanced missiles, space, and nuclear technology. When Putin and Kim inspected the Vostochny Cosmodrome together last September, Putin said he would help North Korea develop a satellite. They also discussed the possibility of sending a North Korean astronaut into space.